Facial care, skin care, and types of soap to use

Dermatologists recommend washing the face with soap twice daily, the body once daily - and the hands as often as necessary to keep them sanitary. How do you know which soap is right for you? Soap used to have a bad reputation because of the inclusion of harsh detergents, which stripped oil from the skin. However, that is no longer the case with all soaps anymore.

Before we discuss what skincare routine to follow, you need to know your skin type. To do so, look at your face in a mirror in natural daylight (i.e., outside or near a window) and observe the various areas of your face. In general: Oily skin is shiny - especially along the T-zone (the forehead, nose and chin areas), where oil glands are most prevalent - and tends to break out with pimples. If you have large pores, these may also indicate oiliness. Dry skin feels tight and dehydrated and pores may be very fine. It may also look flaky, and has a rough, papery texture. Normal skin has a uniform texture and tone that only occasionally break out in spots. Combination skin has oily and dry patches: It may be shiny/blemished along the T-zone and scaly around the cheeks.

Once you have determined your skin type, you use this information to pay attention to your specific skincare needs.

If your skin is oily and/or acne-prone, select soaps that contain salicylic acid -- a skin-sloughing beta hydroxy acid that keeps pores unclogged. Similarly, choose products with the pimple-drying ingredient benzoyl peroxide.

For dry skin, stick with gentle, super-fatted soaps, many of which contain up to one-third moisturizers. Pure glycerin soap will also help your skin retain moisture. However, avoid deodorant soaps, which can dry your skin even further.

Those with sensitive skin should opt for hypoallergenic soaps, and avoid perfumed, antibacterial and deodorant soaps, which can be irritating. Try to use very little soap, do not scrub too hard, and make sure to rinse well with cool water (warm or hot water can be drying).

People with normal skin have plenty of options: feed your skin with plant-based soaps, lather up with triple-milled soaps or use a gentle face bar soap that is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores).

Those suffering from windburned, sunburned or chapped skin can calm it with soap rich in soothing glycerin and aloe vera. As much as possible, avoid bars with overpowering fragrances since they can irritate the skin further.

Even when you're partying until the wee hours of the morning or pulling overtime at the office, it's essential to cleanse your face thoroughly before you hit the sack. Ideally, you should wash your face twice a day, put on toner, and moisturize immediately after cleansing your face. By removing makeup and daily grime from your face daily, you can avoid clogged pores and breakouts. However, we don't live in a perfect world and there will be times when you just want to slip into your bed and forget about your beauty ritual.

When you're too tired or there isn't that much time to conduct your full facial regimen, you can save time and effort by using a multipurpose cleanser that'll strip away dirt, oil, and even hard-to-remove makeup like waterproof mascara all at once. You can also try using disposable cloths that you simply moisten (to activate the built-in cleanser) and smooth over your face to lift away the day's dirt.

There are plenty of ways to protect and beautify your face, and establishing a regular beauty regimen is one of them. Start one today and your skin will thank you for it.

Stress and Aging

Modern life can be stressful. There are so many concerns that you have to worry about like work, family, relations, and other activities. Sometimes you have to juggle or walk on a tightrope of schedules, deadlines, meetings, and extracurricular activities.

Usually, when you are stressed, your heart speeds up and your head pounds. What actually happens is that your pituitary gland releases a certain hormone, which in turn triggers your adrenal glands to release stress hormones (i.e., cortisol and adrenaline) into your bloodstream. As a result, several of your body's systems are upset.

You may likely feel a stomachache coming or experience diarrhea when you're stressed out. You also tend to feel hunger pangs resulting to weight gain. Stress also makes you susceptible to sickness like colds and other infections in addition to skin problems, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and loss of sex drive.

Stress also likely speeds up aging. According to a study done by the doctors in University of California at San Francisco, chronically stressed women displayed chromosomal changes characteristic of increased aging. They found out that the telomeres (found at the ends of the chromosomes) of these women tend to be shorter than the less-stressed women. Telomeres shorten as we age; thereby the length of the telomeres is an indication of aging. When telomeres cannot be possibly any shorter, they die out which is evident in skin wrinkles, organ failure, etc.

That's why you need to lower the level of stress in your life. You can do that by taking care of your body and leading a healthy lifestyle. Have a balanced diet, adequate rest, and regular exercise. Relax and learn to enjoy your life. Take up a hobby that will help you take your mind off things like reading, knitting, collecting stamps, playing sports, or gardening. Join a club, support group or organization where you can meet other people with the same interests. Try joining the community play, take up dancing classes and acting workshops, help in local charities or fund raisers. Who knows you might even discover your hidden talents?

Learn deep-breathing exercises and practice meditation or Yoga. Visit the gym regularly or join a fitness group that will help you stay fit and healthy. Another option is to have massages and rub downs. This will help loosen up your muscles and calm your nerves.

At times, you just have to be positive about things and be less negative or pessimistic. Try to smile at people you meet on the streets, watch a movie or a play, have a new hairdo, change your wardrobe, and have the time to smell the roses.

Another good practice is having your regular medical check-ups to ensure your good health every time. Sometimes, when your level of stress is remarkably high, you need to get help. Seek out the support of friends and family, change jobs, re-prioritize your life, or consult with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker.

Life can really be full of challenges. Learn how to cope up and remember to always look at the bright side of life. If you feel that stress is getting the better of you, don't hesitate to seek help. A stress-free life can definitely add up to your years.